Boys State delegates select national representatives

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Boys State delegates recently chose leaders and alternates to represent the Magnolia State at Boys Nation next month in Washington, D.C. They include (l-r) second alternate Matthew Edwards of Saucier, delegate Zachary Walley of Madison, delegate Jacob Roberts of Hattiesburg and first alternate Adam McMahon of Gautier. Photo by: Beth Wynn

American Legion Boys State members from South and Central Mississippi will represent their peers during next month's Boys Nation gathering in and around Washington, D.C.

During the recent state Boys State assembly at Mississippi State University, Jacob A. Roberts of Hattiesburg and Zachary Walley of Madison were chosen as delegates to the July 18-25 event. In addition to being housed at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, they will join the other state delegates for a series of special programs held throughout the nation's capital.

While there, participants also will expand their knowledge of the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training will focus on the structure of city, county and state governments.

Roberts, this year's selection for the state organization's Harold F. Hale Scholarship, is the son of Paul and Melissa Roberts. Walley is the son of Donna Walley.

Adam McMahon of Gautier and Matthew Edwards of Saucier were selected as first and second alternates, respectively, should either Roberts or Walley be unable to attend. McMahon is the son of Wayne and Lee Ann McMahon; Edwards, the son of Michael and Nidia Edwards.

More than 380 rising high school seniors from around the state spent the last week of May at Mississippi State, learning about state and local government and the electoral process. The university was selected in 2013 as host campus through 2015 for the nation's premier program for teaching how government works, developing leadership skills and nurturing an appreciation for the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.

In addition to electing delegates for the national meeting, the May meeting at MSU concluded with the announcement of top honors among this year's membership. Those recognized included:

--Jarred D. Graves of Petal, Most Outstanding Boys Stater and a $1,500 scholarship;

--Joseph B. Fuller of Tylertown, Boys Stater of the Year and a $1,000 scholarship;